Ways To Help
There are many ways you can help support Winter of the Beard, and our various grant recipients. Here are just a few examples.
Donate to Winter of the Beard: We are a 100% Volunteer ran 501(c)3 Organization. We take no salary for doing what we do. We issue our annual Brian Smith Memorial Grant in the current sum of $2000 to organizations we have properly vetted, and confirmed. We also have our Brian Smith Endowment Fund that has been established with the purpose of issuing the grant in perpetuity. More programs will be established as funding is made possible.
Link your Kroger Plus Shoppers Card to Winter of the Beard (ID186)
Support one of our Brian Smith Memorial Grant Recipients:
2022
Foxhole is a nonprofit based out of Pontiac, Michigan with their home gym, Victorious MMA, in Troy. Established in 2019 Foxhole uses martial arts mixed with peer to peer mentoring to help veterans struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues. Each veteran is helped with a customized plan, and encouraged to trust the process while learning the basics, and advanced training in martial arts. Their core beliefs are supported by 3 pillars: Camaraderie, Commitment, and Courage. By sticking to these 3 core beliefs Foxhole assists men and women of our armed forces transitioning to civilian life. For more info visit: https://www.foxholeusa.org/
2021
Veteran Service Dog Organization works with Veterans and Psychiatric Service Dogs out of their training facility in Howell, Michigan. Founded by Kirk Lanam, a veteran himself, VSDO works extensively with the team of a veteran and their dog to ensure proper training is achieved, at little to no cost to the veteran. Through a rigorous vetting process, and a customized training process VSDO makes sure that the dogs are trained for the veteran they are serving. Since it’s inception (as of November 2022) VSDO has paired over 850 veterans and service dogs together. Changing over 1700 lives in the process. VSDO is a 100% volunteer organization, and relies on the support of donors and sponsors. Visit VSDO.us for more information.
2020
The North Oakland Veteran’s Treatment Court is based out of the 51st District Court in Waterford, Michigan. The primary purpose of the Friends of the North Oakland County Veteran’s Treatment Court (Friends) is to provide assistance and support to Veterans who need help accomplishing their Veteran’s Court goals. These Veterans’ lives have been intervened by the justice system because they have been convicted of one or more misdemeanors and are in need of taking positive steps towards improving their well-being. It is the “Friend’s” belief that no-matter what the present circumstances of the Veteran are, they have the capacity to heal. The Friends of North Oakland Veteran’s Treatment Court is 100% volunteer ran, and uses donations, grants, and it’s endowment fund to support it’s programs and assistance. You can find Friends of North Oakland County Veteran’s Treatment Court at: NOCVTC.com
2019
Warrior Ethos Foundation: Founded in November of 2018 the Warrior Ethos Foundation is a coalition of veterans, civilians, and non-profits that work together to provide support and assistance to veterans in need. Based out of Temperance, Michigan the Warrior Ethos Foundation lives and breathes the Ethos, “I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, and I will never leave a fallen comrade behind.” They are out here proving that every day with peer to peer mental health support, raising funds for veterans, providing assistance with home repairs, and a multitude of other direct support for veterans. For more information visit their Facebook page: Facebook.com/WarriorEthosFoundation/
2018
Pets for Vets- Southeast Michigan Division: (2018 Recipient) Pets for Vets is a well established organization with branches spread across the US. Each branch is responsible for it’s own fundraising. The Southeast Michigan branch is based in Birmingham, and provides companion pets for vets suffering from anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. Find more info at the website linked above.
2017
Victory Gym Veteran Health Club: (2017 Recipient) Victory Gym was founded by veterans for veterans to provide an outlet, as well as provide group therapy for veterans struggling with PTSD. Based in Brownstown, MI Veterans and first responders are given memberships free of charge, and the membership is low for civilians as well. Donations have provided equipment, and keep the gym up and running. Find more info at the website linked above.
2016
Blue Star Service Dogs (formerly “Stiggy’s Dogs”): (2016 Recipient) The folks over at Blue Star Service Dogs do amazing work training Psychiatric Service Dogs for veterans dealing with mental health issues. Blue Star Service Dogs’ training facility is based in Pinckney, MI. The demand for dogs and training is high, and every dollar makes it possible for Blue Star Service Dogs to aid our veterans. Find more info at the website linked above.
Become a Volunteer: Join our Volunteer list and help our community and veterans.